DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization For Submission Of Funding Request To Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize submission of an $8.0 million State Fiscal year 2028 (FY28)/Minnesota Law 2027 (ML27) Outdoor Heritage Fund (OH) request to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC).
SUMMARY
The 2008 Minnesota Constitutional Legacy amendment increased the state sales tax and dedicated revenue to natural resources, clean water, arts and cultural heritage, and parks and trails. The portion of the funds for wildlife habitat is accessed through funding applications to the LSOHC. The LSOHC makes OH funding recommendations to the State legislature for projects requiring more than $400,000 to protect, improve, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat. The County has received a total of $19.636 million of OH funds between 2009 and 2026.
Based on County Board approval of the Land Conservation (LC) Plan, Park and Greenway Master Plans, and associated Natural Resource Management Plans, staff proposes submission of an $8.0 million ML27 OH funding request to address eligible land protection opportunities during the five-year grant period. The proposal includes restoration and enhancement of:
• An estimated 600 acres of County-owned land within County Parks, Park Reserves, Regional Greenways, and CFAs
• An estimated 800 acres of non-County public lands located within Regional Greenway corridors and CFAs and previously and newly acquired County Easements.
The proposal also includes acquisition of an estimated 200 acres of priority permanent Easements or fee title on:
• Land adjacent to Regional Parks, Park Reserves, Regional Greenways, and other public lands
• Land within Regional Greenways and CFAs, including cultivated hydric soil areas for wetland restoration; lake, river, and stream shoreline; and other priority lands
• Land with significant conservation benefits not included in the above categories.
The proposal also includes funding for contracted professional services, materials/supplies, and other acquisition and restoration-associated expenses. The request is based primarily on anticipated projects that result from strategic outreach and provides flexibility for opportunities that cannot be determined at the time of proposal submission. The deadline for submitting a FY28/ML27 OH grant request to the LSOHC is May 22, 2026.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the County Board authorize submission of a ML27 OH funding request to the LSOHC.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The proposal includes the following requests: $5.4 million for restoration and enhancement of regional parks, park reserves, greenway corridors, County Park Conservation Areas, non-County public lands, and existing and new Easements, and $2.6 million for fee title or Easement acquisition. If the funding request is successful, the funding would be available for five years from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2032. County staff time will be included in the proposal as in-kind match, estimated to be $600,000 for three FTEs over five years. If additional County match is determined prior to the final proposal deadline, it will be included in the future County Board request to accept awarded grant funding.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, in 2008, Minnesota residents approved the Minnesota constitutional amendment to increase the State sales and use tax rate and to dedicate this revenue to protecting, improving, and enhancing natural land and water resources, providing increased hunting and fishing opportunities, improving park and trail opportunities and facilities, and benefiting arts and preserving cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, the 2009 Minnesota Legislature provided direction on the administration and dispersal of the dedicated revenue through various agencies and grant programs, including the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC); and
WHEREAS, the County has previously submitted funding proposals to the LSOHC, and a total of $19.636 million has been appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature to the County for acquisition and restoration since 2009; and
WHEREAS, protection, restoration, and enhancement of environmentally sensitive and priority natural areas owned by the County, other public entities, and private landowners provide multiple public benefits and are a priority for the Dakota County Board of Commissioners as demonstrated in the approved County Park and Greenway Master Plans, associated Natural Resource Management Plans, and the Land Conservation (LC) Plan for Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, the LSOHC has requested funding proposals for the State Fiscal Year 2028 (FY28) for 2027 Minnesota Law (ML27) approval; and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the funding criteria and proposes submission of an $8.0 million FY28/ML27 Outdoor Heritage Fund (OH) funding request that emphasizes: 1) restoration of County owned lands, other publicly owned lands within Regional Greenway corridors and Conservation Focus Areas (CFAs), and existing and new conservation easements (Easements) on private land; and 2) acquisition of Easements and/or fee title within Regional Greenways and CFAs and other significant areas described in the LC Plan that address eligible land protection opportunities during the five-year grant period; and
WHEREAS, the proposal includes restoration and enhancement of an estimated 600 acres in County Parks, Park Reserves, Regional Greenways, and County Park Conservation Areas; an estimated 800 acres of non-County public lands located within Regional Greenway corridors and CFAs; and new and previously acquired County Easements; and
WHEREAS, the proposal includes acquiring an estimated 200 acres of priority permanent conservation easement or fee title on land adjacent to Regional Parks, Park Reserves, and Regional Greenways; cultivated hydric soil areas for wetland restoration; lake, river and stream shoreline; and other priority lands within and outside CFAs as described in the LC Plan; and
WHEREAS, the proposal would include funding for contracted professional services, materials/ supplies, and other acquisition and restoration-associated expenses; and
WHEREAS, County staff time will be included in the grant proposal as in-kind match, estimated to be $600,000 for three FTEs over five years; and
WHEREAS. if additional County match is determined prior to the final proposal deadline, it will be included in the future County Board request to accept awarded grant funding; and
WHEREAS, the FY28/ML27 OH funding application deadline for submission to the LSOHC is May 22, 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby supports and authorizes the submission of an $8.0 million State Fiscal Year 2028/Minnesota Law 2027 Outdoor Heritage Fund grant request to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Niki Geisler
Author: Lisa West